SWINDON ROBINS: Rossiter reveals guests for upcoming meetings

ALUN Rossiter has selected two Danes to cover for missing skipper Troy Batchelor while he is away on Grand Prix duty.

The Aussie was due to arrive in New Zealand yesterday for this Saturday’s opening round in Auckland, leaving a hole in the Robins side for Thursday’s match with Coventry and Monday’s visit to Belle Vue.

As a result, Eastbourne number one Bjarne Pedersen will now deputise at the Abbey Stadium on Thursday night while club asset Mads Korneliussen will once again don Robins colours for the trip to Manchester.

Rossiter insisted neither rider would completely replace Batchelor but is pleased with the options he has available to him.

“He’s a bit of a track specialist actually and even as far back as the Premier League days with Newcastle I can remember him going really well at the Abbey. Hopefully he will do the same riding for us.

“It’s horses for courses really and it’s about knowing who goes well at your track, although nobody can really replace Batch because he brings so much to our team.

“At home we get an extra five per cent (on the averages) so if it wasn’t Coventry I could have used Hans (Andersen). I wanted to use Hans at Belle Vue but I couldn’t because he just goes a little bit over the averages.

“We will use Mads at Belle Vue and it will be really good to see him back in a Swindon team again.”

Peter Kildemand will take over as captain in the absence of Batchelor and Rossiter has backed his number one to fill Batchelor’s shoes.

“Pete can be a quiet guy but he has plenty to say in the pits, don’t you worry,” Rossiter said.

“He certainly gave Nick an earful on Friday after their tactical ride on Monday night and the riders look to him.”

The Advertiser understands Cameron Woodward is set to ride for Coventry on Thursday night in place of Chris Harris, who is also in Auckland for Saturday’s GP, while the Aces could track either Peter Karlsson or Hans Andersen at Kirkmanshulme Lane on Monday.